Kirby Desktop Lamp

[cb123]

This is a Kirby 519 head that I turned into a Kirby lamp for a friend of mine. Don't worry, no kirby was harmed in making this. It was all that I most sadly found of it, so, I saved it from the scrap heap and turned it into this.

 

[electroluxkirby]

I like it!

 

[vacuumman206]

I have an extra kirby sanitronic 80 head sitting around. How'd you do that?

 

[cb123]

Hi, Vacuumman206

I'm glad that you liked the lamp. I've uploaded some photos of the wooden carcass of one I will be working on later. The things you will need are portland cement, sand, and acrylic fortifier...Then mix the cement and sand 1 to 1 ratio. Substitute all water with the liquid, acrylic fortifier - it will stabilize the cement better than water - it will be less prone to breakage, and more flexible with the woods movement over time. The color was applied with Infusion Reactive concrete stain ( acidic metallic salts ). Then over which was applied several coats of water base polyurethane. You can get these products at your local paint store. If you have a finishing air gun you can easly nail the hollow carcass together with cut up 1 by 4's and panel board. Remember to leave a string inside the carcass, because, you will have to pull your wire through. I have included a close up of how the carpet head is attached.

 

[cb123]

Carcass Pic#1

Wooden support structure( Rough up the wood as much as possible - give the concrete something to bite into ).

 

[cb123]

Pic#2

Draw out a template of how you want the neck to look. Then use a jigsaw to cut it out, and use it to trace out your other side.

 

[cb123]

Pic#3 Backside

Make sure you screw a wooden scrap base to your carcass. This is where you will build your concrete up. Remember, use medical gloves to apply a thin coat of concrete - just enough to moisten the wood and dirty it up. This is your primer coat. Let it dry to a light grey color - Then apply heaver coats - slowly building it up. Don't fret to much, it will stick - you'll just have to fight it a little. Remember to keep it smooth and don't over work it. When done the concrete will be at lest 3 quarters of a inch to 1 and a half inches thick. Don't worry, it can vary a little - no problem.

 

[cb123]

Pic#4 Carpet head

Now, after a day or two, depending on the temperature, you can use fine grit sandpaper to polish the unstained concrete. Remember to use a mask while doing this. The silicate can shred your lungs - if you do it a lot. The head is attached to a 2x6x6 inch wooden disk - screwed to the carcass with 3 inch fasteners. Remember to put a peice of scrap wood at the top of the carcass to form the concrete at the end of the neck.

 

[cb123]

If you want to make a Kirby lamp of your own, this is but one of many ways I'm sure!

 

[super-sweeper]

Calem, you've gotten onto me about not sharpening a lawnmower blade with the Handi-Butler before, now you're the one in trouble! You used a JIGSAW instead of the Handi-Butler! 

 

[tolivac]

Did they use the Jigsaw attachment for the Handi Butler?Also wondering if you could polish the INSIDE of the Kirby floor nozzle on your light it would make an even better reflector for the bulb?Would be a job-but might be worth it-or even line the inside of the nozzle with like foil or something to act as a reflector.

 

[cb123]

Please, please, forgive me you MOTHER LOVER!

 I'm so sorry, Alex, I can't begin to imagine what came over me. I'm starting to sound just like my mother, because that's the very same thing she used to say, but not quite so nicely.

 

[anthony]

it

has an uncanny look of ET

 

[super-sweeper]

Tolivac, we're lucky enough people aren't getting Eyeexplosionitis from all the shining chrome on that nozzle already! 

 


Don't worry Calem, there's always next time!